The Battle for Mount Ormel, Falaise Pocket, August 20, 1944

An epic game played outdoors this past Saturday on an unexpectedly warm November day here in Vermont. Outdoors on my patio, super safe from COVID!

In my backyard in South Burlington, Vermont. Brett McLay helped me command the Germans while Steve Smith and Mason Roberson commanded the Poles.

Available through skirmishcampaigns.com

Scenario from Falaise Firestorm by Skirmish Campaigns. Translated to three platoons of 2nd SS Panzergrenadiers plus two PzIV-Hs and one panther vs two platoons of Polish Infantry plus HQ squad, PIAT team and one 6-pounder, two Sherman M4s and one Sherman firefly. Germans had to exit at least figures or tanks off the board for victory.

The Game

On German left, two platoons attacked hard on their left flank and after taking some hits were able to gain the woods and drive off one platoon of Poles. In German center, one Pz IV was brewed up and the other tried to flee after its main gun was knocked out. German Panther on right able to draw attention of two M4s while 3rd full platoon (on Blind most of game) was able to exit the board.

On account of darkness we called the game and on the last turn, on the draw of the Tea Break card we resolved simultaneous tank duel. A sherman and PIAT team engaged the Panther but his thick armor was able to shrug off the hits. On the last roll of the game the Panther brewed up the Sherman. Great game!

Love the detail in the Skirmish Campaigns books. I highly recommend them. See photos for detailed AAR.

Overview of the battle landscape. Bocage, orchard and light woods. Germans attacked from left to right.

At the start of the game, German infantry moved on their left and had good rolls to gain protection of left-most bocage.

Polish infantry dug in behind the hedgerows.

Pz IVs attempt to drive through the Polish center.

After being immobilized by the 6 pounder in the orchard, the Pz-IV got brewed up by the Firefly in the woods. Flaming smoke courtesy of Bud's Blast Markers.

After running out of AP Ammo, the 6 pounder crew and an M4 move off to confront the threat from the Panther on their left. After brewing up the Pz IV, the Firefly was not much use from then on as they had been previously immobilized.

German Panzergrenadiers flood the Polish right flank and gain the cover of the woods. Red chips equals shock, yellow equals suppressed, white equals activated that turn.

Two Polish squads try to hold back the Panzergrenadiers but there are too many of them.

The crew of this Panzer IV had to bail as the Red shock points overwhelmed them. They did help the 3rd platoon in foreground to escape.

Panzergrenadiers stream through the woods after shattering the last of the Polish platoon. The Polish HQ squad tries to hold them off.

At the close of the game, the Polish HQ squad confronts the horde of Panzergrenadiers emerging from the woods.

Last turn of the game. simultaneous firing after the Tea Break card. PIAT team and M4 unsuccessful due to Panther's thick armor. The M4 is brewed up by the Panther.

Dan Albrecht